Whether it’s an aggressive impact to a roof, a malfunctioning appliance, or just the effects of time on your home, wear and tear can make your house vulnerable to major water leaks that can cause major damage. If you do have a leak pop up in your home, act quickly to rectify the problem—pushing off such a serious issue can cause further problems for you and your house!

Wall Damage

According to Patch and Paint Pros, the most likely issue you are susceptible to is damage to your walls. When water saturates the material of your walls, that material breaks down and becomes soft, unstable, and unsanitary. Mold develops and eats away at the particles (and can create dangerous spores that release into the air for your lungs to take in.) Visually, this may look like anything from a simple discoloration or splotchy growth to a waterfall pouring right out of your ceiling. With any sign of water damage, act quickly to identify the source of the problem and then get professional help to stop it, clean it, and repair it. Damage to your walls can also compromise the structure of your home, making it unsafe unless recovered fast!

It Attracts Pests

Moisture attracts all the critters that you don’t want to share your home with. Cockroaches, flies, termites, earwigs and more love the water itself and the material it loosens up for them to eat away at. According to Proterra Pest Control, ants can be attracted to pools of water on your floor. Dry any spills or leaks quickly to avoid inviting those pests into your space. You may want to check places that frequently retain moisture like under sinks, around drains, and in dark closets, to make sure they are clean and dry and free of unwanted animals.

Deterioration of Materials

 Water doesn’t just eat away at materials like wood and plaster. If left unattended, leaks in your pipes allow water to start deteriorating the metal itself! According to the Post Bulletin, water exposure creates rust that corrodes strong metals like iron and steel. If the deterioration gets bad enough, pipes can break and burst, leaving you to deal with that water damage on top of the expensive replacement of plumbing! If you notice any changes in your plumbing, get a professional to evaluate the issue so that you prevent more intense issues from developing.

Water damage can happen without you even realizing it. When you do, however, make sure to take care of the problem as quickly as possible! This will save you money and stress that would otherwise have to be spent in the long run.

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